Coast Guard locate missing hunter (5:45 p.m. update)

Search ends in Chippewa County as body of missing duck hunter found in Munuscong Lake

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - The search for a missing man in Munuscong Lake in the lower St. Marys River ended Sunday morning as a Coast Guard helicopter crew located the body of the missing duck hunter.

Dead is 52-year-old Robert Andrzejewski.

At about 8 p.m. Saturday, a search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste Marie, Mich. was contacted by Chippewa County Emergency Dispatch reporting an overdue duck hunter who had not returned from a duck hunting trip in Munuscong Lake.

Andrzejewski was expected to return from his hunting trip at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Initially, local agencies launched an air boat to search hot spots previously hunted by Andrzejewski using his frequent hunting partner to guide them.

Local agencies located the missing hunter’s duck blind and decoys but did not see any other signs of the missing hunter or boat.

A rescue air crew aboard an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter launched from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.

Also, searching were rescue crews from the U.S. Border Patrol and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department.

A rescue air crew aboard an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Detroit was also utilized for subsequent searches Sunday morning.

The Detroit air crew located Andrzejewski’s body and boat at 8:32 a.m.

His body was located approximately 3 miles east of his hunting blind.

The MH-65C deployed a rescue swimmer who confirmed the person was deceased.

The body was located in approximately 3 inches of water right off shore.

A Chippewa County Sheriff’s air boat arrived on scene, confirmed the person's identity with identification found on the individual and recovered the body.

The cause of death is currently under investigation.

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Original 10 a.m. release - Coast Guard searching for missing duck hunter on St. Marys River

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - A search and rescue controller at Sector Sault Sainte Marie received a report late Saturday evening from Chippewa County Dispatch reporting a 52-year-old male who was overdue from a hunting trip in Munuscong Lake located in the lower St. Marys River.

The missing male is Robert Andrzejewski.

He is described as being 5’9’’ and weighs approximately 160 lbs with blue eyes and long sandy brown hair.

He was last seen wearing camouflage clothing.

His boat is a 10-12ft. aluminum vessel with an outboard engine and is painted in camouflage.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste Marie was notified at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday of the missing hunter.

Mr. Andrzejewski was expected to return from his hunting trip at 1 p.m. Saturday.

An aircrew aboard an MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter stationed out of Air Station Traverse City as well as a boatcrew aboard a 45ft.

Response Boat-Medium from Station Sault Ste. Marie participated in the search effort throughout Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Local response agencies are also participating in the search effort using boats as well as shoreline search parties.

Local agencies located the missing hunter’s duck blind and decoys but did not see any other signs of the missing hunter or boat.

The Coast Guard is still actively searching for Mr. Andrzejewski.

The Coast Guard is seeking help from the public in finding Robert Andrzejewski.

Boaters along the St. Marys River are asked to keep a sharp lookout, report any signs of distress and any information that could assist in locating Mr. Andrzejewski by contacting the Coast Guard at (906) 635-3233.